Football: Singapore hold Malaysia to draw, progress to ASEAN Championship semis

KUALA LUMPUR: Written off by many even before a ball was kicked at the ASEAN Championship, the Lions showed that they still have plenty of bite.

Away at the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur, the Lions held Causeway rivals Malaysia to a draw and booked their spot in the semi-finals of the regional tournament on Friday (Dec 20).

This meant the Lions finished second in Group A, behind leaders Thailand who beat Cambodia 3-2. The Thais topped the group with 12 points, as the Lions finishing with seven.

Singapore last made the semi-finals of the regional tournament in its 2021 edition, where they were eliminated by Indonesia.

"Our players were not scared (to play against Malaysia)," said head coach Tsutomu Ogura. "I told them to show their fighting spirit."

The Lions went into the game knowing that a win or a draw would be enough for them to progress.

Prior to the match, the Thais sat atop Group A with nine points while Singapore were second with six points. Cambodia and Malaysia had four points apiece.

The tournament format dictates that teams level on points are first differentiated by their head-to-head record and then by overall goal difference. 

This was not an unfamiliar position for the Lions.

At the last edition of the tournament, they travelled up to Kuala Lumpur needing a draw to progress. The Lions had seven points, while Malaysia had six.

However, Singapore would capitulate in spectacular fashion, losing 4-1 as the Harimau Malaya moved on.

On Friday, it was Malaysia which looked the more likely of the two teams, buoyed by their vociferous supporters.

On the other hand, the Lions looked a lot more nervous, and simply could not hold on to possession for extended spells. 

As Singapore struggled to find their footing, a quick